The Manchester Arena bombing took place on 22 May 2017, when an attendee detonated a homemade bomb after an Ariana Grande concert. 23 people, including the attacker, were killed and 139 others injured. Hundreds of others also admitted that they suffered psychological trauma after the incident, which was the worst terrorist attack and the first suicide attack in the UK since the July 2005 London Bombings.

Since the attack, Grande spoke up about how she deals with the reminder. In an interview with British Vogue, she said, “It’s hard to talk about because so many people have suffered such severe, tremendous loss. But, yeah, it’s a real thing. I know those families and my fans, and everyone there experienced a tremendous amount of it as well. Time is the biggest thing. I feel like I shouldn’t even be talking about my own experience – like I shouldn’t even say anything. I don’t think I’ll ever know how to talk about it and not cry.”

She met with the victims and their families. (Image source: Instagram/Ariana Grande)

Five months after the Manchester Attack, Pete Davidson said during a set on Saturday Night Live that the proof of Ariana’s fame was the fact that the terrorist had chosen her concert to attack. He said, “Britney Spears didn’t have a terrorist attack at her concert.”

He said it was a sign of Grande’s fame. (Image source: Instagram/Ariana Grande)

On July 4, one of Ariana’s fan accounts brought up the joke on Twitter, saying, “I respect Ariana and I want her to be happy and everything, but she was just broken after the Manchester bombing, so I don’t know why she is still with Pete, like yeah he made that joke a while ago, but like it’s not funny, it’s just rude. This is my opinion.”

Image source: Twitter

Responding to the statement, Ariana wrote, “this has been v tough & conflicting on my heart. he uses comedy to help ppl feel better ab how f-ed up things in this world are. we all deal w trauma differently. I of course didn’t find it funny. it was months ago & his intention wasn’t/ is never malicious but it was unfortunate (sic).”

Image source: Twitter

She also added, “i hear and respect you always (sic)”

Image source: Twitter

The fan then replied saying they had understood the situation, writing, “I love u and I respect u in so many ways! Forever greatful to have u in my life! And thank u for sharing light on the situation! I’m now understanding it more (sic).”